Container for vehicles, for storing and transporting objects

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a container for vehicles, for storing and transporting objects, which is formed by a receptacle, with a corresponding closure cover hinged to the container by means of L-shaped arms that are firmly joined at one end to the inside face of the cover and hinged at the opposite end, by means of hinge pins, with respect to respective brackets projecting from the inside face of the container, wherein, in a closed position, the hinge means are concealed inside the container, with the particularity that the closure means are in the form of an electronic lock and a closure mechanism or ratchet that are internally connected over the opening of the cover and the main body of the container, the electronic lock being provided with wireless control means for opening. The system comprises a mechanically engaging security device, which activates when the container is forced open.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a container for storing andtransporting objects for vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, bicycles,and the like, constituting a type of receptacle or carrier with a coverthat can be fixed to the chassis of the vehicle to keep belongings suchas helmets, gloves, raincoats, or other items.

The object of the invention is to provide safe storage means in whichboth the hinge and the closing and opening means are inaccessible fromthe outside, thereby preventing the container from being tampered with.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers that tend to include a flip cover with the correspondinghinge means and security locking device are known.

Devices of this type present the problem that both the hinge means andclosure means can be seen from the outside, so they can be forced openrather easily allowing access to and thieving of the contents of thedevice which is normally used for keeping helmets and other relativelyexpensive equipment that is, accordingly, highly susceptible to theft.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The proposed container for storing and transporting objects for vehiclessuch as cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and the like, solves the problemsset forth above in a completely satisfactory manner based on a simplebut effective solution, preventing the manipulation of the device, sinceneither the hinge means nor the closure and locking means areaccessible.

To that end and more specifically, the container of the invention ischaracterized in that its hinge means are formed from a series ofL-shaped arms which are hinged on one end to brackets established forthat purpose on the inner edge of the container and hinged at theopposite end to the inside face of the cover, such that, said hinge iscompletely concealed and inaccessible from the outside when the deviceis closed, where said device cannot therefore be manipulated.

A similar situation arises in the case of the closing and opening meanswhich are formed from an electronic lock which is controlled by means ofradiofrequency, such that the lock is not visible from the outside,having a ratchet that can engage an inside locking device, with saidopening being controlled through a control, mobile telephone, RFID card,or the like.

Similarly, the lock could also be wirelessly connected to the vehiclestart-up system, such that it is only accessible with the vehiclestarted up.

In addition to pivoting, the hinge elements, as a result of theirL-shaped configuration, subject the cover to a translation movement,causing the cover to fits snugly in the opening of the main body of thecontainer.

The electronic lock will be coded and electronically activated eitherthrough the power supply of a rechargeable battery or through directconnection to the battery of the vehicle in which it is installed, suchthat when the system is always locked when it does not have electricalpower.

Optionally, the device may incorporate, associated with its controlelectronics, telemetric geolocation and alarm management means againstpossible cases of theft which may occur, where said device may likewiseoffer connection ports for recharging other electronic devices orrecharging the actual internal battery through the connection thereof tothe grid, small solar panels, dynamos/alternators, or any otherconventional recharging means.

Ultimately, the invention relates to a container for storing andtransporting objects in which the access and hinge means areinaccessible from the outside.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As a complement to the description that will be provided herein, and forthe purpose of helping to make the features of the invention morereadily understandable, according to a preferred practical exemplaryembodiment thereof, said description is accompanied by a set of drawingsconstituting an integral part thereof in which, by way of illustrationand not limitation, the following is represented:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a container for storing andtransporting objects for vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, bicycles,and the like, made according to the object of the present invention inan open position.

FIG. 2 shows a view similar to that of FIG. 1, but corresponding to anembodiment variant in which the control electronics of the device isinternally isolated in a specific casing.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the container in a closedposition.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the container in an openposition.

Finally, FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the container with thesecurity devices being seen.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the mentioned figures, it can be seen how the container ofthe invention is made up of a receptacle or container (1) per se, with acorresponding closure cover (2), this cover being hinged to thecontainer by means of L-shaped arms (3) that are firmly joined at oneend to the inside face of the cover and hinged at the opposite end, bymeans of hinge pins (5), with respect to respective brackets (4)projecting from the inside face of the container (1), such that, in aclosed position, this entire assembly is perfectly concealed inside thedevice, being completely inaccessible, and therefore tamper-proof.

The device includes one or more supply batteries (6) powering thecontrol electronics of an electronic lock (7) located on the inside faceof the edge of the opening of the main body of the container (1) withrespect to which a ratchet (8), likewise projecting from the inside faceof the cover (2), engages, so in a closed situation, this assembly islikewise concealed and inaccessible from the outside.

The control electronics (9) of the lock (7) comprises codedradiofrequency communication means in order to allow blocking andunblocking the electronic lock (7), such that it can be operated througha mobile telephone, RFID card or chip, remote control, or any wirelessmeans.

The system has a engaging security device (12) (13) as shown in FIG. 5which is activated, as a result of a mechanical engagement, when thecontainer is forced open. Said action of forcing the container openactivates sensors which generate and send a signal to the system,automatically driving locking devices (8) which block the opening of thecover (2). The locking devices (8) can only be unblocked by passing thecoded radiofrequency communication means being used. This device isinside the container, so it is impossible to manipulate same.

Said control electronics (9) can incorporate geolocation means, as wellas an alarm circuit.

Although the device has been envisaged to include its own rechargeablebatteries, having to that end at least one recharging port which maylikewise be used for recharging other electronic devices when thebattery is charged, the control electronics could likewise be powered bythe actual battery of the vehicle, as well as by any other conventionalrecharging means, such that the lock is always locked in the event of anabsence of electric supply.

Lastly, it must be pointed out that, as can be seen in FIG. 2, thecontrol electronics and power supply can be arranged in an independentinside casing (11) that is only accessible from the inside of thedevice.

1. A container for storing and transporting objects for vehicles such ascars, motorcycles, bicycles, and the like, of the type incorporating areceptacle or container (1) per se, with a corresponding flip closurecover (2) provided with closure means, characterized in that the closurecover (2) is hinged to the container by L-shaped arms (3) that arefirmly joined at one end to an inside face of the cover and hinged at anopposite end, by hinge pins (5), with respect to respective brackets (4)projecting from an inside face of the container (1), such that, in aclosed position, the hinge pins (5), the L-shaped arms (3) and thebrackets (4) are concealed inside the container, with the particularitythat the closure means are in the form of an electronic lock (7) and aratchet (8) that are internally connected over an opening of the coverand a main body of the container, electronic lock (7) being wirelesslyopened.
 2. The container for storing and transporting objects forvehicles such as cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and the like, according toclaim 1, further comprising a mechanically engaging security device (12)(13), which activates when the container is forced open, creating andsending signal that automatically drives the electronic lock (7) whichblocks the opening of the container, and which is deactivated with acode for opening the assembly.
 3. The container for storing andtransporting objects for vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, bicycles,and the like, according to claim 1, characterized in that the electroniclock (7) is wirelessly opened by a chip or RFID card, a mobiletelephone, or a remote control.
 4. The container for storing andtransporting objects for vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, bicycles,and the like, according to claim 1, further comprising controlelectronics (9) provided with at least one of geolocation means or analarm circuit.
 5. The container for storing and transporting objects forvehicles such as cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and the like, according toclaim 4, characterized in that the control electronics (9) are assistedby one or more internal rechargeable batteries (6).
 6. The container forstoring and transporting objects for vehicles such as cars, motorcycles,bicycles, and the like according to claim 4, characterized in that thecontrol electronics (9) are connected to an actual battery of a vehiclein which the container is installed.
 7. The container for storing andtransporting objects for motorcycles and the like according to claim 1,further comprising ports for recharging one or more internalrechargeable batteries (6) through the connection thereof to a powergrid or to an external generator device.
 8. The container for storingand transporting objects for motorcycles and the like according to claim1, further comprising ports for connecting and recharging otherelectrical devices through an actual internal battery of the container.9. The container for storing and transporting objects for motorcyclesand the like according to claim 1, further comprising controlelectronics and a power supply housed in an inside casing (11)accessible from the inside of the container.
 10. The container forstoring and transporting objects for motorcycles and the like accordingto claim 7, wherein said external generator device comprises a smallsolar panel, a dynamo, or an alternator.